David Whitaker

Bio:

For more than three decades, David Whitaker has distinguished himself as a respected industry leader, both in the communities he has served, and on the global travel, tourism and convention industry stage.

Named President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2021, the appointment was a homecoming for Whitaker, who previously held GMCVB leadership positions from 1990 to 2007. As Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, he is credited with accelerating the GMCVB’s efforts to build and execute successful marketing strategies, each year growing domestic and international travel to the destination. During his time as CMO, Miami’s “brand” as a lifestyle destination skyrocketed.

As a veteran of the destination’s tourism and hospitality industry, Whitaker has been at the forefront of attracting renowned events and marquee initiatives to Greater Miami and Miami Beach, from helping Miami secure and host Super Bowls in 1995, 1999 and again in 2007, to hosting two U.S. Travel Association IPW Global Conferences in 1994 and 1999.

In 2026, Miami will be a host city to over a dozen marquee events including the College Football Playoff National Championship, the National Hockey League Winter Classic, the World Baseball Classic, seven (7) FIFA World Cup matches in June and July and the return of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway this fall. The GMCVB directly assisted in the bidding and logistical planning of each.

Miami will be featured with its 4th annual Michelin Guide in 2026. Bon Appétit named Miami as their “Food City of the Year” in 2022 and Tavel & Leisure magazine promoted Miami as its top food city in 2025. All this underscores Whitaker’s commitment and the GMCVB’s role in positioning Miami-Dade County as a true “live, work, and play” destination for visitors and residents alike. Under Whitaker’s leadership, the GMCVB has also taken on significantly increased responsibility to successfully market and book future conventions and events at the newly imagined and expanded Miami Beach Convention Center including the new 800-room Grand Hyatt set to open and begin hosting major conventions in 2028.

In 2025, Greater Miami and Miami Beach hotels enjoyed the fourth highest ranking nationally in terms of “Revenue Per Available Room” which is a combination of occupancy and average daily rate. Year-to-date in 2026, Miami has maintained this momentum and continues to grow.

The GMCVB has had the responsibility of developing leads, initiating bids and supportive sales efforts to secure future bookings of conventions, tradeshows and events to be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center and dozens of host hotels.

The sales goal for 2026 is to secure eighteen (18) future large conventions or tradeshows combined with the current 20-plus conventions and tradeshows that meet annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The GMCVB also collaborates with dozens of partners, event planners, organizations and major event promoters seeking to do business in Miami.

The GMCVB launches major advertising campaigns, public relations and promotions, international engagement with tour operators and travel suppliers, all designed to generate awareness and stimulate travel to Miami-Dade County and its 34 municipalities.

Previously, the industry veteran served as President & CEO of Choose Chicago, President & CEO of Tourism Toronto, and Chief Marketing Officer for Brand USA. He began his professional career in Miami serving on the Executive Staff of the United Way of Miami-Dade.

Throughout his career, he’s been honored for many accomplishments, and more importantly, those of the destinations he represented: in Chicago, where he promoted and sold the largest convention center in the U.S., the destination was named in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards as “Best Big City” to visit an unprecedented five consecutive years; in Toronto, both the visitors bureau and convention center were voted North America’s best.

Committed to both his community and industry, Whitaker currently serves or has served in leadership roles on the boards of US Travel, the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA), Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC), Miami-Dade Beacon Council, Orange Bowl Committee, Florida TaxWatch, Camillus House, Curley’s House of Style, Kristi House, Neat Streets Miami and South Florida Workforce Investment Board.

Whitaker is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication & Public Relations; he is an avid boater and long-time supporter of the performing arts; and resides in South Miami with his wife Lily.